I'm surprised we have gotten this far into the process, and nobody has created a thread about him. Even though he regressed his senior year, and doesn't appear to have an explosive bone in his body, nobody seems to think twice about chalking him up as a first rounder. Why?

But why? Why is a possession receiver who isn't very big and isn't very fast such an overwhlemingly strong choice in the first round?

I'm not the biggest Allen fan (don't have him as the #1 WR), but to call him a possession WR is a little short-sighted. He's not just a guy that's going to sit down in the zone and make a surehanded catch to move the chains. He is explosive in the sense that he can make plays after the catch. He's not a Fitz, Green, Calvin & Andre Johnson type of talent even though he is 6'3". He's more like a TJ Houshmanzadeh from the Cincinnati days, which is still a pretty good WR and better than a pure possession guy.

I love Keenan Allen because Cris Carter personally told me he was a definite 1st round talent. And this was when Keenan was still getting over the knee injury.

Speaking of which, I wouldn't be completely shocked if Keenan doesn't participate at the Combine. I haven't heard if he is going to or not, but I wouldn't be shocked if he still wasn't 100% and wanted to wait for the Cal Pro Day.

But why? Why is a possession receiver who isn't very big and isn't very fast such an overwhlemingly strong choice in the first round?

Who says he is a possession WR? I think he's easily a 4.5 guy and wouldn't be shocked with sub 4.5. Also he is a playmaker. I think he's definitely a top 3-5 WR with a shot at #1. Really like Patton and Patterson though.

Who says he is a possession WR? I think he's easily a 4.5 guy and wouldn't be shocked with sub 4.5. Also he is a playmaker. I think he's definitely a top 3-5 WR with a shot at #1. Really like Patton and Patterson though.

Well he certainly isn't a deep threat, (12.1 YPC) and he isn't particularly special in the red zone. On top of that, he is coming off a knee injury that apparently may not allow him to participate in the combine. He also has regressed his this past season, and I see no reason he makes sense in the first round. When I see Keenan Allen I see Brian robiskie TBH

He's one of the most physical wide receivers in this class. He's got a large catching radius, can high-point the ball, can catch the ball away from his body, and is more explosive than you're giving him credit for. His sophomore tape is impressive enough that I am writing off this year's dip in production to be a combination of injuries and lackluster quarterback play. He's aggressive and competes for balls in the air. He can sink his hips and make sharp cuts in his routes to get separation. He has a commanding physical presence on the field, generally being bigger and stronger, as well as comparably fast, to the defensive back who is covering him. Watch the first play on that Oregon clip. He's not in the Tavon Austin/Denard Robinson realm of creating in open space, but I think he's one of, if not the, best open-field runner among the "big" receivers in this class.

Well he certainly isn't a deep threat, (12.1 YPC) and he isn't particularly special in the red zone. On top of that, he is coming off a knee injury that apparently may not allow him to participate in the combine. He also has regressed his this past season, and I see no reason he makes sense in the first round. When I see Keenan Allen I see Brian robiskie TBH

Wow, that is one of the worst player comparisons I have ever seen here.

Have you ever watched Keenan Allen play?

A better comparison is Michael Crabtree, though I actually like Allen even more than Crabtree.

He is a very, very good prospect. I agree with Sims. If he makes it to 21, I would hope the Bengals pull the trigger.

Allen has a lot more big play ability than you are giving him credit for. He has been the victim of atrocious QB play and still produced. He's reminded me a bit of Larry Fitzgerald since he got into school.

Who says he is a possession WR? I think he's easily a 4.5 guy and wouldn't be shocked with sub 4.5. Also he is a playmaker. I think he's definitely a top 3-5 WR with a shot at #1. Really like Patton and Patterson though.

Most anticipated Combine imo. If he runs a 4.65 he's out of the 1st round, if he runs a 4.45 he's the #1 WR taken possibly.

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Originally Posted by VAfy-ya:The lack of ignorance in this thread is alarming.

Scouts, Inc. reports Allen running a 4.53, which is about what I'm expecting. I wouldn't be surprised to see him crack 4.5 though.

As for why he is a #1 pick? If the video doesn't show it, then I don't know what will. The guy runs good routes, has great hands, a large catch radius, is strong enough to handle press coverage without getting knocked off his route. He makes plays after the catch, he can make defenders miss in the open field.

In fact, his lack of speed is about the only knock on him for me. I agree with Schupp: if he breaks 4.45 he's the #1 WR taken DEFINITELY.

Two things hurt Allen this year. Firstly, the injury and secondly, some really poor QB poor.

What he has going for him is he is a big guy (6'3 210) and he can run. He isn't a burner but he can get behind secondaries. He also has very good hands and will make contested catches over the middle. He can beat man coverage by being physical but also being sharp in his routes and knows how to set DBs up. He can find the open zone and sit it down as well. He also has great versatility. He can play either Wide position and he can play in the slot.

I really like Keenan Allen and if anything I think he is being underrated. Him and Hopkins are the two guys I think can step in right away and be very productive. He doesn't have the insane upside of Patterson or the explosiveness of a guy like Austin but Allen is the type of guy you could put in pretty much any offense and watch him have success.

Allen, Hopkins and Woods are probably my 1, 2, 3 for the Patriots at WR